Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14
Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
251
In Greek legend, malicious creatures called Kallikantzaroi sometimes play troublesome pranks at Christmas time. In order to get rid of them, salt or an old shoe is burnt. The pungent burning stench drives off, or at least helps discourage, the Kallikantza
6
'Klaxon' is a name that does not belong to one of Santa's reindeer. A klaxon is actually a powerful electric horn. Its name comes from a German word meaning "shriek".
3
The Queen's Christmas speech was first televised in 1957.
18
One town in Indiana is called Santa Claus. There is also a Santa, Idaho.
122
Many theologians estimate that Jesus wasn't born on December 25 but sometime in September between 6BC and 30AD.
42
Carols began as an old English custom called wassailing, toasting neighbours to a long life.
33